The Language-Free Computer Programmer/Analyst Aptitude Test (LPAT)

The Language-Free Computer Programmer/Analyst Aptitude Test (LPAT) is an aptitude test used to measure a job candidate's potential to understand and apply reasoning, logic, computer math, and procedural rules. The LPAT tests the relative cognitive abilities of a candidate rather than knowledge of specific computer languages. It is often utilized to assess potential candidates for internal promotion into IT jobs from other types of jobs, or to assess a individual's potential for working with proprietary software.Language-Free Computer Programmer/Analyst Aptitude Test

Characteristics of the LPAT

The LPAT measures several aptitudes or abilities which are required of computer programmer/analysts. In several sections, it uses a miniature training and evaluation approach, providing a mini-lesson and then asking questions on the material presented. The LPAT consists of questions in nine different areas: understanding a state diagram (involving a vending machine), interpreting computer math expressions (including order of precedence and inequalities), interpreting computer truth statements (e.g., False and False), changing narrative into formulas (using a retail store scenario), using string pattern matching rules, understanding written assignments, understanding common business English words, using a spell checker (recognizing words), and using databases.

The test has been validated against college course grades in programming